MOGADISHU, June 15 (Xinhua) -- The African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) said Saturday it plans to ensure recovered areas from al-Shabab militants enjoy security to enable residents overcome their fear of the militants.
A delegation of the AU mission, which visited Bariire in Lower Shabelle region in South West State of Somalia to conduct a rapid needs and security assessment of the situation on the ground following the recovery of the town from al-Shabab, revealed the need to guarantee the locals of their security.
"In order for the local community to overcome their fear of the militants, there is a need to guarantee their security. We have to ensure that al-Shabab militants are not going to come and terrorize the people," Abdul Diabagate, head of AMISOM's humanitarian liaison unit said in a statement issued in Mogadishu.
Diagabate said the local community is beginning to regain confidence and return to the area, to resume their daily lives, owing to the presence of AMISOM and Somalia National Army (SNA) forces.
Bariire, the agricultural rich area, was recently recovered from the terrorist group al-Shabab in a joint operation by the SNA with the support of AMISOM forces.
However, more than a month after its capture, Barire is largely deserted town, though communities are beginning to return, said the AU mission.
The AMISOM delegation noted that transport movement in the district is a nightmare after fleeing militants blew up an important bridge, virtually cutting off a section of Bariire district.
Diagabate said there was an urgent need to rebuild the bridge. During a guided tour of the town, the delegation guarded by SNA and AMISOM troops met and interacted with a few members of the population who had just recently returned.
In Bariire, the SNA and AMISOM troops live in one camp, from where they plan and conduct joint operations. Patrick Opira, the Commander of Ugandan AMISOM forces in Bariire said the population is now gaining confidence and gradually returning to their homes and farms in the area.
"The situation is gradually improving due to the consolidation process that we have been consistently doing. We sit on a daily basis with the commander of the SNA to plan and send out patrols to exploit places further from our base and this has improved the security situation in the area," said Opira.
